It
has been the fortunate fate of Sacramento to attract to its citizenship
men of sterling worth of character, energy of temperament and remarkable
intensity of patriotism. These attributes have pre- dominated in the
active business career of Jesse Warren Wilson, an honored pioneer of the
state and for years one of the leading men of the capital city, the
incumbent of important offices and the proprietor of well-known
commercial enterprises. Even now, although he has reached an age
justifying a complete retirement from all activities, he is still to be
found working for the welfare of Sacramento, giving of his time and
means to the expansion of local interests and favoring progressive
projects with all of his influence as a pioneer and prominent citizen.
Throughout the long period of his association with the city he has been
a leading factor in municipal enterprises and a con- tributor to civic
efforts, not the least memorable of such associations having been his
service as a member of the committee (with Governor Stanford) that
turned the first earth at Front and K streets to celebrate the beginning
of the Southern Pacific railroad in the state.

A
native of Clinton county, Ohio, born March 21, 1834, Jesse Warren Wilson
was one of eight children, of whom the sole survivor besides himself is
John W., a retired business man residing in Muncie, Ind. The parents
were natives of Ohio, where the father, Benona Wilson, made a livelihood
for the family through laborious efforts as a farmer. In addition he
gave some time to the preaching of the Gospel, donating his services
without expectation of any financial returns. His wife, Mrs. Martha
(Long) Wilson, also died in Indiana. After having passed the years of
boyhood in working on the home farm or attending the country schools,
Jesse W. Wilson came to California in 1854 via the Isthmus of Panama, on
the steamer George Law to Panama and the John L. Stevens to San
Francisco, where he landed December 1, 1854. For a time he engaged in
mining in Placer county. For three years he had his headquarters at
Marysville, Yuba county, and meanwhile followed any occupation offering
an honest livelihood. During a considerable period he teamed to the
mountains. In the autumn of 1861, shortly before the great flood, he
arrived in Sacramento and here he has since made his home. The first
occupa- tion that furnished him employment was the driving of a hack,
and for twelve consecutive years he engaged in- that business with a
number of teams. Next he drifted into the livery business, and for
thirty years he carried on the Wilson stable on K street, after which
for seven years he was the proprietor of the Golden Eagle hotel. Since
about 1908 he has been retired from active business cares. By Governor
Markham he was appointed a member of the board of directors of the State
Agricultural Society, reappointed by Governor Budd, and again by
Governor Pardee, supervisor for twelve years, during which time he took
an active part in the promotion of the building of the State Fair and
was also superintendent of the track.

Two
years after his arrival in Sacramento Mr. Wilson established a home in
this city, being then united in marriage with Miss Hannah Ryan, a native
of Ireland. They became the parents of four children, but one of these
was taken from them by death in infancy. The older daughter, Ida,
married Edward Frazier, who prior to his death in 1910 was a prominent
business man of Sacramento. The younger daughter, Lucinda, is the wife
of John H. Wiseman, well known in real estate circles. The only son,
Arthur J., is a clerk in the city department of the superintendent of
streets. The family own and occupy a comfortable residence at No. 1417 I
street, besides which Mr. Wilson owns considerable other property in
Sacramento (principally in the suburbs) and he also owns an interest in
the Sacramento laundry, being a director of the company. During younger
years he was actively identified with the Sutter Club, as well as a
prominent member of Eldorado Lodge No. 8, I. 0. 0. F., of which he is
past grand; the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; Union Lodge No. 8,
F. & A. M. ; Sacramento Chapter No. 3, E. A. M. ; Sacramento
Commandery No. 3, K. T., and Islam Temple, N. M. S., of San Francisco.
For years he has been stanchly devoted to the principles of the
Republican party and his identification with public affairs still
continues, for as recently as 1911 he was a candidate for trustee from
the Fifth ward. From 1879 until 1884 he served as member of the board of
county supervisors, for two years, 1885-87, he held office as sheriff of
Sacramento county, for five years he discharged with the greatest
intelligence and fidelity the duties incident to the office of fire
commissioner, and for two years he held the position of county coroner,
besides which at different times he has been chosen to occupy other
local offices of trust and honor.

Source:
History of Sacramento County, California
Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who
Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
History By: William L. Willis
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California (1913)